ONEONTA, NY - Host Hartwick College out-shot Utica 24-9 on the night, but the Pioneers were able to secure a 1-1 draw on Elmore Field. The Hawks are now 4-2-1 overall and remain unbeaten in conference play at 1-0-1. UC is 2-5-1 and 1-1-1.
The Pioneers jumped on the board early scoring on their first shot of the night as Emily Young tallied for a 1-0 lead. Young headed in a Cheyenne Chrzanowski corner kick at the near post to beat Hartwick keeper Alyssa Rondo (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy) to give her squad a one-goal edge 4:20 into the game.
It took the Hawks just over 15 minutes to draw even. Senior Julie Kessler (Canton, CT/Canton) drove a free kick from midfield into the Utica box on the right side of the goal. Sophomore Mackenzie Shipley (Sedro Wooley, WA/Sedro Wooley) collected the ball and tucked it neatly past Utica goalie Jocelyn Rivera who had come out on the play. It marked Shipley's first goal of the 2010 season.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, the goal would be the last time they would be able to beat Rivera, who ended the match with 10 saves and consistently seemed to be in the right place on each Hartwick scoring chance. She stopped two in the opening half and another six in the second half of play.
Perhaps 'Wick's best chance came in the 79th minute as a through ball found the feet of senior forward Briana Crow (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) who broke in alone on goal. After cutting the ball back to avoid the pursuit of a UC defender, Crow slid a near-post shot on the ground past Rivera only to have the ball smack the post and come right back into play. Crow collected the rebound and sent another off balance shot on the UC frame but Rivera gobbled it up for one of her 10 stops.
Before the end of regulation, Jessica Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenevus) and Crow had shots saved in the 84th and 85th minute, respectively, and the game went to extra time. Each team only managed one shot in the first 10-minute sudden-victory period with Rondo the only keeper forced to make a save on an Amber Comeau shot.
The Hawks controlled overtime number two out-shooting Utica 3-1. Katie Schild (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) had a shot stopped by Rivera and Crow sent another effort wide of the mark. Kate Bosy (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) had the last opportunity of the night with a direct kick from 30 yards out but her shot was right at Rivera and the game ended in a draw.
Rondo finished the match with six saves for Hartwick. The Hawks held a 12-5 edge in shots in the second half and a 16-7 advantage in the final 65 minutes of action.
Hartwick looks to stay unbeaten in the E8 this Saturday against Alfred. The Saxons and Hawks kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on Elmore Field.
